Aristocrat Leisure lifts H1 earnings

Poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure (ALL) expects strong annual profit growth after lifting its first half earnings 9 per cent on the back of a rise in US market share.

Aristocrat's net profit rose to $57.4 million in the six months to March 31, up from $52.6 in the previous corresponding period.

"Increased profitability in North America was driven by outstanding share growth in our gaming operations footprint and average fee per day, together with a higher average selling price and share growth in the outright sales segment," chief executive Jamie Odell said.

While profit in Australia was down, he said the company's market share had improved.

Aristocrat, which also makes other gaming machines that are sold across the world, said it expects strong profit growth for the full year.